Part rapper, part producer, Mister KA has the skills to rise up and make things happen.
Preview the MP3 and read the interview Knowledge had with the Soundclick superstar...

 

 

Well tell us a little about yourself.. Who are you?

For those who don't know my name is Mister K.A. I am a 21 yr old producer coming out of Massachusetts and to get to know me more you should visit <a href=http://www.misterkabeats.com>www.misterkabeats.com</a>


What production software/hardware do you use most often?
Most often would probably have to be FLStudio 7 XXL edition, Motif XS 8, Korg TR 61, M-Audio 61 midi controller and about 40 different vst sound softwares.


Any tips you can give us mixing a beat?
In my opinion, make sure your drums are right, when you're mixing a beat its the drums that carry the beat. Thats how hip hop beats started, everything goes right back to the drums. Don't get me wrong, take your time mixing every sound in the beat you're making, dont be afraid to experiment because thats how some of the best work I've done happened. But I feel if your drums dont knock right your beat wont get that same "wow" factor it should.


From what i've heard you generate quite the amount of income from just beat sales per month. Which beat selling sites do you prefer selling music on?

I only use one website, just for the fact thats where I started so I am loyal to where I began plus it works for me. I wont say there name because you should just visit <a href=http://www.misterkabeats.com>www.misterkabeats.com</a> to find out ;-)

 Is becoming a paying SC  (soundclick.com)  member important to make the top of the charts?.

Well 4 - 5 years ago no, but now so many people have paid pages you kind of have to pay now. But regardless of that, you get more options to customize your page. So it really helps put your material and brand out there.

I see many time people put 'FREE BEAT' or the name of a producer/artist in the track title on SC. Is this an effective technique?

Like my previous answer, a long time ago it was very affective when I started to do it, I would just put either "FREE BEAT" or **NEW**. I did it to let people who liked my music know that it was able to be used for free purposes. Putting artist/producer names on your beat titles in my opinion is corny. Brand yourself and dont use someone elses name.

 What things do like most about SC?

The freedom to basically do whatever you please as long as you follow Soundclicks rules. There customer service is dope and they keep updating their website constantly. (Shoutout to PTH III over @ Soundclick)

 What things would you like to improve about SC?

If they could come up with some sort of way to integrate purchasing beats right from the Soundclick page that would be nice, they have it for downloads but its only up to $1.25. Being able to put purchase buttons and setting your own price right next to the download button or something. So people dont have to click 3rd party shopping carts n stuff. They could just use Soundclicks feature would make it much easier for customers.

 When starting out, did you have a plan for SC success and how did that plan evolve as you learned more about how SC works?

I had absolutely no plan when I started. What I've applied to my Soundclick is just things I've read and learned on marketing and promotions.

 How much success have you had outside of SC?

I've had alot of success off of Soundclick. I like to keep it just that tough, off of Soundclick. You can do so many other things by networking and hitting up people in person that you have to apply a whole different approach. On the net customer visit and play through your beats at their leisure but dealing with stuff offline, you have to pick material you think fits that certain situation. But no matter what I do I still get recognized in public from starting on Soundclick.

 Can someone make a living off selling beats on SC?

Most definetly, it's just the market on Soundclick is so flooded with new people that I feel it could make it harder to leave an impression with people that visit the website. Yeah you could pay for promotions and stuff. But without an actual fanbase you will fade right back off of the charts quick.

Is there any secrets you can to share with us about promoting ones-self?

Just stay away from gimmicks because people see right through it *cough* Soulja Boy *cough*

Do you have a manager? If so how important is that?

No I dont have a manager, early in my career I thought that would be something that I would need. But through experience I've learned that what a manager does for a producer can actually be done by yourself. You just have to network and build relationships with people and be able to get cut throat with people when you realize the situation is not good for you. Remember business is business so just keep that mind state, because the people you meet to do business with will think that also.

How long would you say it took to get yourself established?

It's funny to hear someone say I am established because I've never really felt that way. But I've been selling production online for almost 4 years. I've felt that I was in a comfortable postion after 2 1/2 years...

Are there any major artist that you've worked with?

Not really, that was never my main focus until about 6-7 months ago. But I have done some work with some creditable people: Big Lou (Streetsweepers ent), Marpo (Universal Records), Grafh (Blackhand Ent), Don Dinero (Block Royal), Royce Da 5'9 (M.I.C), Randam Luck (Babygrande Records).

Is there any upcoming projects we should look out for?

YES! my artist <a href=http://www.myspace.com/nathiphop>NAT</a> you should definetly look out for. We are releasing an online album which will feature all my production and me on a couple of songs. You can pick that up October 11th at <a href=http://www.misterkabeats.com>www.misterkabeats.com</a>. Also I have a street album dropping with my man <a href=http://www.myspace.com/grafhblackhand>Grafh</a> all produced by me, that will be released in the future once we get all of the business straight with it. Either before that project or right after I will also be releasing a beat cd for the emcees out there.

What would you say your most proud of in the production game right now?

I'd have to be most proud of me being able to make a living with music. If I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be able to deliver some of the material I put out If I didnt have the time to dedicate it to my craft.

In your opinion, what types of things should the new/young producer concentrate on most to develop his/her skills?

To me it's very difficult to say what someone should focus on because everyone has different strong and weak points. So to generalize my answer I would have to say whatever you feel or whatever honest responses you receive on your weak points with your production. Focus on improving, a producer needs to be an all around musician and be able to get the job done in every situation. So take your strong points and experiment with them, and take what you feel you lack in and practice that until you find what makes it better and more comfortable to you.

What advice would you give on someone looking to get placement on a commercial recording?

A few things I feel producers should work on for something like this is your track selection. Make sure you choose accordingly and sequence your beats correctly. Because with A&R's time is money. They will probably listen to the first 15-30 seconds of your beat, if not less. So make sure it catches them right from the start. Also just be yourself, by all means sell yourself because it is a business, but dont lay it on too thick to the point where its annoying.

Where can we get more info or hear more of your music?

You can always find me around these places!!
http://www.misterkabeats.com>www.misterkabeats.com
http://www.myspace.com/misterkabeats>www.myspace.com/misterkabeats
http://www.49dollarbeats.com>www.49dollarbeats.com
http://www.myspace.com/nathiphop>www.myspace.com/nathiphop